FARC-EP Ceasefire Begins in Colombia

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People”s Army (FARC-EP) began a 30-day unilateral ceasefire and end of hostilities in Colombia on Sunday. A member of the peace team of that group, Pablo Catatumbo, underlined on December 8 in Havana, the venue of the peace talks with the government, that this decision responds to a national demand.

We ordered to remain alert to any given enemy operation that must be responded without delay, the guerrilla highlighted, feeling hopeful that the government “will correspond to our action by ordering a ceasefire as well”.

This is the second time that the FARC-EP announces a ceasefire since peace talks with the Juan Manuel Santos administration began on November 19, 2012.

Back then, the truce, from November 20, 2012, to January 20, 2013, showed willingness in advancing in the path to peace.

On Saturday, leaders of peace organizations, politicians and congress people, such as lawmakers Iván Cepeda and Angela Robledo, and the spokesperson for Patriotic March, Piedad Cordoba, welcomed the guerrillaâ�Ös decision to call a ceasefire during this time of the year.

However, President Santos has reaffirmed his stance that, during the peace process, there would be no ceasefire.